ASK IRA: Do Heat have right to gripe about officiating?

Q: Ira, given how often Ed Malloy seems to blow calls, why is he working all these playoff games? -- Ed.

A: He is considered one of the best by the NBA. You also likely will see him working NBA Finals games, as well. It's almost as if he is trying to show he is making the right call, rather than working by instinct and considering the situation, something the more-veteran officials seem to better appreciate. All of that said, you can't complain about Paul George making officiating an issue in Game 4 and then try to turn it around to say the Heat had a right to gripe after Game 5. I'm expecting Joey Crawford or Scott Foster as the lead official for Game 6, so there will have to be caution about players letting emotion get in the way. But the Heat also will have to attack more at home Friday night in order to get more than the eight free throws they took Wednesday, especially when you consider three were taken when LeBron James was fouled on an errant 3-point shot. No Heat player got to the line more than one trip, and there has to be more than Dwyane Wade 2 of 2, Chris Bosh 0 for 0.

Q: So should LeBron have passed at the end? Or shouldn't he have gone at Roy Hibbert and taken his chances? -- Scott.

A: Here's how I see it: LeBron knew even if he scored and the Heat got a stop, he would have had to play another five minutes, in overtime, with five fouls. And he knew the Heat's 3-point luck might eventually run out. So I think from the outset he was looking for the all-or-nothing play. I think the Heat took Wednesday as if they knew they had a cushion with Friday's Game 6.

A: I can't fathom moving away from Rashard now that the Pacers have to pay attention to him at the 3-point line. And if Chris Andersen comes back, his return would be welcomed as a means to try to help limit Roy Hibbert on the boards. As it was, Haslem only played 7:09 on Wednesday, anyway. I think Shane Battier and Haslem both could be odd men out if Birdman returns. Right now, it's about the hot hand. This is not the time for sentiment.

May 28, 2014

Q: Congratulations to Shane Battier on winning the best teammate award. But Chris Bosh is deserving of that award, as well, considering how much he has sacrificed in terms of stats and playing style in order to fit the Heat's system. -- David.

A: Agreed. Chris still is very much capable of loading on stats if he chooses, but in this series has to spend much of his focus spacing the Pacers' defense and keeping Roy Hibbert off the boards. He's doing what is asked, which is the definition of being a good teammate. The reality now is that even if he doesn't hit shots with the consistency he did in Game 4, the Pacers have to account for him on the perimeter at all times. The Heat have had some of their most meaningful moments even when his numbers have been down, such as last season's championship-clinching victory. Judge Bosh on his numbers at your own risk. Yes, he does tend to float at times, his intensity never to be confused with that of LeBron James. But his passion often comes through when needed most. Beyond all that, as you referenced, he is viewed in the locker room as a quality teammate. His teammates want him around, value how he can impact games without getting in the way of LeBron or even Dwyane Wade.

A: Clearly, they Heat are saving bringing back Dexter for a Game 7, need be. Until then, Juwan Howard will have to take care of the dirty work, as he's previously done with Lance, albeit when still in a playing role instead of coaching. And to be up to date, you mean an unscary Metta World-Peace. The reality is that while Lance has had his moments in this series, I do wonder if the erratic talk is ultimately going to hurt him on the free-agent market, where he at one point appeared headed for a significant payday. He's a terrific talent, but sometimes it's about more than that.

Q: With LeBron no longer the MVP, he values winning the championship more than ever. -- L.K.

A: I wouldn't be surprised if losing out on regular-season Most Valuable Player has heightened LeBron's hunger for another NBA Finals MVP. While he said all the right things about Kevin Durant and his 2014 MVP credentials, he also views himself as second to no one in the league, regular season or otherwise.

A: And thus, in a pair of simple, declarative sentences, we can sum up Game 4 of the 2014 NBA Eastern Conference finals. Well, almost. First, Bosh did what he had been doing all season, spacing the floor with his range, making sure opposing big men wouldn't dominate on the boards with his box outs. Yes, the numbers have suffered. That, to a degree, is why the Heat don't suffer the fools who only point to his statistics. The Heat win because of the way Bosh has reinvented his game. Other players would have wilted amid the criticism; Bosh, instead, worked on his shot, stepped up his game, and now is within one victory of a fourth trip to the NBA Finals in as many years with the Heat. As for Stevenson, this is about more than his war of words with LeBron James. While he has blossomed as a player, his one-on-one attacking style too often takes his teammates out of the game, contributing, at least in part, to these disappearing acts by Roy Hibbert. There was a point early in the season when I thought Lance was going to cash in big during free agency this summer. Now I'm not sure that many teams would look to build around him as a core contributor. As he stepped forward this season, an argument can be made that the Pacers regressed.

Q: Ira, has there ever been a coach of a successful team that has rotated starting lineups as much as Erik Spoelstra? -- Jason.

A: Well, I can't go back in history and be definitive, but I can talk about Monday night, when Spoelstra again pushed the right buttons. It wasn't as much about starting Rashard Lewis as by getting Udonis Haslem back with the second unit, so there would be defensive options against Hibbert from the starting and reserve units. Even with Chris Andersen out, the Heat finished within 37-34 on the boards. Mostly, Spoelstra's approach made it clear that Greg Oden remains an option of last resort, as, seemingly, does Michael Beasley.

Q: Are the Heat starters better conditioned than the Pacers? The Pacers always seem to look gassed at the ends of these games, when the Heat take over. -- Myles, Coconut Creek.

A: I think that's more of a factor of Spoelstra's resting his players during the regular season, while Frank Vogel pushed his starters in order to secure the top seed in the East. Spoelstra also appears to have far more faith in his reserves in this series than Vogel, who has less to work with than it initially appeared, with Andrew Bynum exiled and Evan Turner never becoming a factor. By contrast, Norris Cole, Ray Allen, and when he was available, Chris Andersen have been huge for the Heat this postseason.

May 26, 2014

Q: The starting lineup has not been able to get it going, beyond even the struggles of Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers. With Chris Andersen and Norris Cole on the floor, the Heat have found defense and the basket. The question is why? The Pacers are a darn good team and will make adjustments going into Game 4. -- Chet.

A: The second unit has been so efficient, and so able to turn games, that I doubt Erik Spoelstra would dare risk the energy that has been injected by Birdman, Cole and Ray Allen. And there already have been plenty of lineup adjustments this postseason for the Heat. However . . . there could be one intriguing one left, starting Rashard Lewis instead of Udonis Haslem, which would allow the Heat to stretch the Pacers' defense, while also providing added height. Yet Haslem has helped limit Hibbert's rebounding, so expect Spoelstra to keep things as is in light of the 2-1 series lead and two-game winning streak with Haslem starting.

Q: Ira, can we expect David West to be asked to chase Allen again in Game 4? -- Jason.

A: The playoffs are all about adjustments, so expect Frank Vogel to come up with an approach on the offensive end for the Pacers that forces the Heat to match up bigger. But that means getting the ball to West and Hibbert in better scoring spots. The adjustment might wind up being on offense for Indiana.

Q: Quick question, which I have always wondered: What determines which basket the Heat shoot at prior to the beginning of each game? I have been a season-ticket holder since the '90s and sit in Section 120 and choose them because the Heat finish most games in front of us. -- Robert.

A: It's visiting team's choice. Most coaches choose to coach defense in front of their bench in the second half. Indiana's Frank Vogel is one of the league's few exceptions. The change threw the Heat off balance to the point that when they came out pregame for warmups, some of the players had to be guided to the other end of the court, since many of the Heat players handle their earlier warmups on the practice court.

May 25, 2014

Q: Saturday was what LeBron James is all about. His reaction to his assist to Ray Allen and the 3-point shot falling was the ultimate team player. -- Sig.

A: I'm going to take it a step further. Game 3 was close to being the ultimate team win, with LeBron taking the defensive challenge against Lance Stephenson, with Dwyane Wade keeping the offense afloat, with Ray Allen seizing upon the Pacers challenging him with David West's size, with Rashard Lewis stepping up defensively against West, with Norris Cole stepping up to provide energy. In fact, this was one of Erik Spoelstra's shining moments, everything from adjusting on a night when Chris Bosh was struggling, to pushing the pace by having his team move to pressure defense. The Heat needed a lot to finally put together consecutive victories over the Pacers, and Spoelstra pushed the right buttons when needed.

Q: The Pacers remind me of the Celtics from two years ago in the Eastern Conference finals. Their starters look out of gas in the last six minutes of the fourth quarter. Hibbert was dragging. -- Stuart.

A: Clearly, the Heat bench has made a significant difference in this series, from Allen's shots to Cole's energy to Chris Andersen's effort, even to what Lewis provided Saturday. But I wouldn't be too quick to write off the Pacers. With a win on Monday, momentum instantly would move back in their favor, and have this looking like the seven-game series some predicted. Just like those Celtics, the Pacers won't go easily and will push to their last breath. Monday is crucial for the Heat, every bit as critical as Saturday.

Q: Why is Michael Beasley in the doghouse? -- Dylan.

A: He's not. Spoelstra had a tough call to make Saturday night, with so many questions about Greg Oden being inactive for the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals. Look, I'd put it this way, if putting Oden in uniform increased their chances of signing him back for the minimum in the offseason, then it's an investment worth making. It had to be particularly difficult for Oden not to even be in uniform in his hometown during the series' first two games in Indianapolis. Beasley simply wound up as the odd man out Saturday, along with Justin Hamilton. Toney Douglas served as insurance if a point guard was injured, and James Jones and Rashard Lewis had been getting rotation minutes, with Lewis again contributing. To a degree, Beasley already fulfilled his Heat mandate, when he allowed Spoelstra to rest his perimeter stars a bit more during the regular season.

May 24, 2014

Q: Ira, one thing I don't understand watching Miami vs. Indiana, is that Indiana understands their advantage is size and the Pacers try to exploit it as much as possible. Miami's advantage is quickness. Why don't they try to exploit it more with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in transition, not just off turnovers but off missed shots? Wouldn't Roy Hibbert's mobility be exposed if they picked up the pace? -- Travis, Valrico.

A: First, to run off missed shots, you have to rebound, and the Pacers' size makes that an issue. In this series, I think it is a greater priority to have everyone hit the defense boards rather than run out. Plus, the Pacers are adept at covering the backcourt. But, yes, the Heat do try to run, and I think at home it is easier to feed off the crowd's energy, in that regard.

Q: Ira, I've read stories about the NBA's concussion policies regarding the Paul George incident, and I don't see why the league doesn't have its own doctor at every game, especially playoff games, to make that call. It shouldn't be left to a team doctor. -- Roy.

A: I think it largely would be impractical to have independent league doctors available at as many as 15 venues during the regular season. But considering there is a league officiating supervisor or observer at most games, perhaps there could be something along those lines. I've always felt that making decisions about whether a player should continue puts a team physician in a difficult spot. It's not as if in boxing a manager or corner man makes that call (except to throw in the towel). Plus, in some cases, a visiting player has to rely on the diagnosis of the home team's doctor. The concussion protocol is an admirable step by the NBA when it comes to player safety. But there has to be something a bit more uniform that giving a team doctor the immediate say during games.

Q: After witnessing the total annihilation of OKC by the Spurs. I cannot imagine LeBron signing with the Cavs. Two superstars (Russell Westbrook and the MVP Kevin Durant) cannot cut it against the formidable Spurs. You need a Big Three to have a fighting chance. Join Cleveland and you can kiss goodbye to the Larry O'Brien trophy. If winning is the objective, then you need a Pat Riley type of organization. -- Phil, San Francisco.

A: Put it this way, before the Cavaliers won the lottery, I thought there was maybe a five-percent chance of LeBron leaving this summer for Cleveland. Now, it could be around 15 percent. To your point, LeBron, Kyrie Irving and the player selected at No. 1 could constitute a Big Three, although I'm not sure how LeBron and a ball-centric Irving would co-exist.

May 23, 2014

Q: Who benefits most from the long break: the aging Heat or the Pacers with Paul George's concussion? Which coach benefits most from extra time to game plan? -- David.

A: It proved to be a huge break for the Pacers. Considering the way the Pacers bungled George's concussion diagnosis Tuesday, it would have been more than a bit surprising if the NBA had cleared George for a Thursday game, considering he was limited to non-contact work Thursday. Plus, with the Heat changing lineups before Game 2, it gave the Pacers more time to go to school on how to address matchups with Udonis Haslem, as well as strategize for Norris Cole again defending Lance Stephenson for an extended stretch.

Q: Ira, let's assume that Miami gets past the Pacers and have to face the Spurs in the NBA Finals. What's your gut feeling: Do you think we can beat them, especially without homecourt advantage, also coupled with the fact that we're not as good as last year but they are? I think LeBron James will have to guard Tony Parker the whole series and shut him down if we advance and face them. What do you think? -- Habib, Calgary.

A: First, it is way too early for that (from a Heat perspective, not necessarily from the Spurs perspective). I can't see how the Spurs wouldn't be favored, not as much because of homecourt, but simply the buzz-saw-like approach they have taken to the Thunder series. Remember, the NBA Finals will be 2-2-1-1-1 this season, and that constant travel could take a toll on some of the older Spurs, with San Antonio's older players featured more than the Heat's older players.

Q: It may not be the best time to talk about personnel changes, but what about Kevin Love? Given Chris Bosh's inconsistent statistics for a guy making that much money and the Heat's lack of rebounding and inside presence, wouldn't he be a better fit? -- Yvano, Montreal.

A: Except the reality is the only reason the Timberwolves would consider dealing Love is the concern of losing him in free agency. As it is, Bosh has an early-termination option this June and a player option next June, so he would provide the same dilemma for Minnesota. What the Timberwolves would want is a lottery pick (the Heat don't have that) or a veteran star under long-term contract (which the Heat, for now, also don't have).

May 22, 2014

Q: Is Norris Cole a better overall defender than Mario Chalmers? Is it fair to say he is now the Heat's second-best on-the-ball defender? -- Michael, Miami.

A: They are two different types of defenders, each with a niche in the Heat's approach. Chalmers is more about gambling for steals, jumping passing lanes, basically being the pest that triggers the Heat's transition game. And he does that very well, particularly when Erik Spoelstra throws presses and traps into the mix. Norris is better at staying in front of his man, pressuring one-on-one. While Norris was the finisher in Game 2 against the Pacers, Mario often is the one who can get the Heat playing at the pace they need, at both ends of the court.

Q: I really think that giving Birdman more minutes really paid off us. Do you think, even after this three-day rest, Erik Spoelstra will continue to give him those minutes? Did he seem fatigued after the game? -- Pablo.

A: Chris Andersen almost always plays himself to exhaustion, which is why Spoelstra has to monitor the minutes. I think Erik felt comfortable playing him for lengthier stretches in Game 2 because he knew he had three days before the next game. I think Chris goes back to his typical minutes going forward, with the series back on an every-other-night schedule after Saturday's Game 3.

Q: It sure seems as if Chris Bosh is trying to play his way out of Miami. -- Shep, D.C.

A: Actually, it's the complete opposite, Chris working so hard to fit into Erik Spoelstra's precepts, whether it is stationing himself in the corner to draw Roy Hibbert out of the paint, or focusing on keeping Hibbert and David West off the boards, rather than getting his own rebounds. If Chris were playing for himself, he would not be expending so much effort on defense, helping and recovering. You might question the results, but the one thing with Chris is you can't question the effort. He is trying to do what is asked as best as he possibly can, even if it might not be the best way to display his skills.

May 21, 2014

Q: Ira, is it too early to consider that LeBron James might prefer going home to play with better young talent than an aging Dwyane Wade and a soft Chris Bosh, now that Cleveland won the lottery again? -- Steve.

A: First of all, Dwyane hardly was "aging" on Tuesday night, when he was there for the putback of that late LeBron miss, playing tag-team scoring with James at the finish. And Bosh helped the Heat remain afloat on the boards in Game 2. Both remain far more of benefit than detriment. I still think the biggest factor in LeBron deciding whether to invoke his early-termination option in June will come down to where the Heat stand at the end of the playoffs, certainly on better footing after Tuesday's win. No one leaves a three-time defending NBA champion, no one. Plus, there always is the possibility of playing it out one year at a time in Miami, while seeing how Cleveland's young talent coalesces, or doesn't. In fact, that might be the prudent approach if LeBron is considering eventually making Akron his year-round residence. That way he can see if Anthony Bennett comes around and what Cleveland's management team does with their youthful pieces. Plus, there still is the matter of judging the fit with Cleveland's next coach. But don't kid yourself, Tuesday's lottery results change the LeBron landscape, or at least the upcoming weeks of conjecture. But weren't you braced for that, anyway?

Q: I laughed the day before the series started how everyone was picking Miami to sweep or win in five. The Pacers have been waiting for this series all year. They are so fired up and know they can beat the Heat. -- Stuart.

A: As has been stated many times in recent days, especially here in Indianapolis, the Pacers have been built for this moment, almost on a matchup-by-matchup basis. This was not the Bobcats or Nets trying to adjust. This is an opponent that truly believes it has the blueprint. Yes, talent often prevails, but this will also be a series also about effort and strategy. Tuesday was another chess match, with Indiana certain to come up with counters now given three days off.

Q: Have the Heat given up on the big center or is he still having knee problems? I thought he was an answer to tall opposition. -- Dennis.

A: I can't fathom that after being away from the team so long that Greg Oden could possibly work his way into minutes in this series, considering the stakes. The issue supposedly now is back spasms, but even Oden said he could have played in the series' opening games if summoned. Erik Spoelstra pushed the timetable back for a possible entrance of Oden into the mix until Saturday's Game 3. We'll see what he says in the coming days about that possibility. Don't expect it. This is not a series for newcomers, as evidenced by what hasn't happened with Evan Turner, Michael Beasley or Oden.

May 20, 2014

Q: Do you think Erik Spoelstra was overthinking/overcoaching by starting Shane Battier instead of Udonis Haslem, which would have been the obvious move? Small ball only works if the big men can hit shots. To some degree, it doesn't matter who starts if Chris Bosh, Battier and Haslem can't make Indiana pay. -- David.

A: I'll take it a step further: I'm not sure Indiana even cares if Bosh, Battier or Haslem are hitting jumpers, if it means the ball is out of the hands of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Now, if the Heat are making a lot of jumpers and 3-pointers, that's another story. Basically, the Pacers are going to stay home, each player with a foot in the paint on defense, until the Heat force them to do otherwise. And that's more than just a 3-pointer here or there. Sunday actually was a 3-point breakthrough for Ray Allen at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where he previously couldn't hit anything. No, the Heat change the series by forcing turnovers, getting out on the break, attacking and creating the type of foul trouble that gets them to the line. Oh, and a little defense wouldn't hurt, either.

Q: Hi Ira, 23 attempts out of 78 were 3-point shots Sunday. Allen, Battier, Rashard Lewis and Bosh are streaky at best with their three point consistency, so why doesn't the team just take two steps inside the arc and fire it from 18? -- Eric.

A: Because that defeats the purpose of gaining the needing spacing to open the lane for LeBron drives and Wade cuts. It's a lot easier to close out within 18 feet than 23. No, the Heat need that 3-point spacing, or at least the threat of it. But it's also a matter of getting the right players to take the right shots. More threes from Allen and fewer from Bosh might be the place to start. And it's not as if Battier or James Jones exactly got the opportunity to even attempt to challenge the defense from the arc, with Battier making his lone 3-point attempt and Jones not even taking one. What the Heat don't need are as many 3-point attempts from LeBron (with LeBron and Bosh combining for 10 of those 23 3-point shots).

Q: The way I saw the Heat playing Sunday was like they really didn't want to win. They did it so that they will win the next four games straight. I can't fathom seeing LeBron just stand there while Paul George and Lance Stephenson shoot right over him without him even contesting the shot. -- Javier.

A: The Heat wanted to win. The question might have been how much, or how little. There certainly is a degree of arrogance from this team, seemingly never pushing with more than is required, as if conserving themselves for something later, amid their four-year run to the Eastern Conference finals, and beyond. I think Sunday was a sobering dose of reality. We'll see Tuesday how much passion this team can muster . . . and whether it's enough.

May 19, 2014

Q: Of course somebody has to lose, but after all the games these two teams have played, how could the Heat look so overmatched? Dwyane Wade looked good offensively, but the team settled for jump shots instead of attacking, and Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers looked awful. I've learned to never doubt this team. They always figure it out. But maybe this is just who they are. -- Chet.

A: First of all, it's always about matchups, and the Pacers are right up there for the Heat with the Spurs in that regard. Honestly, I just think it was a clunker, where the Heat lacked a sense of desperation, knowing taking one out of two in Indiana could be enough. LeBron James' early turnovers set somewhat of a tone, and the Heat kept looking for an easy way out. Even if he's not making shots, Bosh has to give you more than two rebounds. And while he did tie for team high with five assists and even successfully challenged Roy Hibbert once, far more consistency is needed from Chalmers. The overall effort was lacking; the Heat's defensive numbers say as much.

Q: Was Game 1 about Frank Vogel winning the coaching battle against Erik Spoelstra? Spo wasn't even set on who to play? -- Ryan, Naples.

A: I wouldn't overstate the appearance of uncertainty with Spoelstra; he clearly knew who he was going to play and how he was going to play them. If anything, he might have gone away from Shane Battier too quickly, considering he made his only 3-point attempt. Then there was the quick hook for James Jones. As for the Greg Oden inactive issue, if there truly is an ongoing back concern, which is possible, then why was he active for the opening round against Charlotte, when Michael Beasley was inactive? Based on what Erik said Sunday, it sounded as if Oden couldn't even play against Charlotte.

Q: Why does Roy Hibbert get the verticality calls? -- Evans.

A: Because he invented it. As the saying goes, caveat inventor.

May 18, 2014

Q: The Pacers aren't known for their scoring, so defense doesn't have to be the priority in this series. Why not at least give Michael Beasley the minutes Erik Spoelstra has been giving James Jones? The Heat still could salvage Beasley's season. -- David.

A: First of all, the Eastern Conference finals are not when you look to justify a signing or a player's place on the roster. And defense will always matter to the Heat, no matter the opponent. In fact, one of the first questions that will be answered in the series is whether Beasley even is active (he was inactive the entire first series against Charlotte, with Greg Oden then inactive against the Nets [although such decisions are made on a game-by-game basis]). If the Pacers' series becomes about Beasley or Oden, then the Heat are not who we thought they were at this stage. All of that said, I could still see a future for Beasley with the Heat next season, when LeBron James (assuming he stays) might want to get a few extra nights off, in light of such options the Heat have offered to Dwyane Wade this season.

Q: Mark Jackson had no experience, Jason Kidd had no experience, and now Phil Jackson is reportedly considering hiring Derek Fisher with the Knicks. Is coaching experience overrated? Maybe it's as simple as giving LeBron James the ball and getting out of the way. -- David.

A: Well, Mike Brown tried that in Cleveland and never won a championship, yet Erik Spoelstra developed an overall package that allowed James to secure a pair of rings, so coaching must have something to do with it. Beyond that, Mark Jackson only went so far with the Warriors, and Jason Kidd barely survived a single playoff round with the Nets. That's what makes the Warriors' hiring of Steve Kerr so intriguing. For my money, I'll take the bench experience of a Stan Van Gundy every time.

Q: After the Heat beat the Nets again, Bill Simmons said the Heat look old and the West teams are dying to play us. Agree? -- Rob, Delray Beach.

A: I am sure the Spurs and Thunder have greater concerns at the moment than frothing about a seven-game series against LeBron, Wade and Bosh. And the Heat have looked old at times, because they are old, at least when it comes to their complementary pieces. But an old Ray Allen worked out just fine against the Nets, as largely did an old Chris Andersen.

May 17, 2014

Q: Do you believe the Heat's bench is enough to help the Heat get past the upgraded Pacers bench and bench of the Western elite teams? After looking at the numbers, I am a bit concerned. -- Joe.

A: I never overstate benches in the playoffs, when there are no back-to-back games, time off between series, a three-day gap in Heat-Pacers after Game 2, and coaches who won't think twice about riding their stars. All of that said, if Ray Allen is hitting shots and Chris Andersen is loading up on rebounds and blocked shots, I don't think much else matters when you already have LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the starting lineup. Also, I wouldn't overstate a Pacers bench that in one game against the Wizards produced a grand total of two points. No, this is LeBron vs. Paul George, Wade vs. Lance Stephenson, Bosh vs. David West. If the Heat win those matchups, everything else will fall into place, whether Norris Cole, Rashard Lewis and James Jones are producing or not.

Q: Paul Pierce and Shaun Livingston are impending free agents. Can you see either signing with the Heat? If Mario Chalmers goes elsewhere, could the Heat afford Livingston? Pierce could fill in the need when Dwyane Wade can't. -- Martin.

A: The short answer is no. The Heat will be in a position where it would be highly punitive to bring in anyone who wants much more than the salary minimum, a place where Pierce doesn't envision himself, with Livingston looking to cash in on his rebirth as a contributor. If Pierce is going to play somewhere at a discount, figure it being alongside Doc Rivers with the Clippers. As long as the Big Three return, and especially if they return by bypassing their early-termination options, the Heat will be limited by the tax to those with limited options in terms of both destination and salary.

Q: If the Heat win a third title I cannot imagine LeBron leaving Miami. -- Keith, Pembroke Pines.

A: I'm not sure that issue hasn't already been settled with this fourth consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference finals. Where else could he possibly find this guarantee of always playing at least through the end of May?

May 16, 2014

Q: Is Udonis Haslem now back as a starter against the Pacers? And there is any chance for a Greg Oden sighting? -- Joel.

A: I don't see any permutation at this stage but to have Haslem opening against Roy Hibbert. I mean, the Hawks did stretch the floor and render Hibbert somewhat impotent, but I don't think Shane Battier has the post defense in him at this stage to deal with either David West or Hibbert. The key is that Haslem is going to have to be able to hit his baseline jumper, or else Hibbert is going to remain planted in the middle. To a degree, I find it amusing that many of these Pacers questions mention Haslem and Oden in the same breath. Greg hasn't played in so long that I couldn't fathom him moving anywhere close to the rotation, although it is possible he again is active on game nights, possibly pushing Michael Beasley back to the inactive list.

Q: Not to be negative, and it is incredibly impressive that the Miami Heat will be going to the Eastern Conference finals for the fourth consecutive year, but the reality is the Miami Heat don't have homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference finals this year against Indiana because Dwyane Wade or no Dwyane Wade, during the season the Miami Heat lost too many games to teams under .400 that they could have and should have won! There are at least seven games the Heat should have won against inferior competition. I remember the Celtics game in November when the Heat played little defense. It will really stink if the Heat lose to Indiana and don't get to a fourth consecutive NBA Finals appearance because of homecourt advantage. It will prove that attention to detail and small things matter. -- Stuart.

A: You're assuming there will be a Game 7. Remember, no matter how the teams get there, one team will have the ability to close out the series in Game 6. And that game is at AmericanAirlines Arena. Hubris is not going lightly against the league's lesser half, it's proving your worth when it matters most, like at the start of this series. And it's not as if the Pacers have been dominant at home this postseason, certainly not like the Heat.

Q: I'm shocked that the Heat and Pacers are meeting in the Eastern Conference finals . . . said no one who follows the NBA. -- Thomas.

A: Because, ultimately, there were only two teams in the conference complete enough to compete at this level.

May 15, 2014

Q: Yes, not one, not two, not three . . but four Eastern Conference finals appearances. -- Gisela.

A: No, LeBron James was not talking about East finals appearances when he was hyperventilating with hyperbole on that July evening in 2010 at AmericanAirlines Arena, so challenges remain. But when you pause for a moment and realize that the Heat have made it to the penultimate round of the playoffs for four consecutive seasons, it truly is a bit staggering, that no one to this point has kept the Big Three from advancing at least to this level. And they likely will be favored in the East finals no matter the opponent, even if it's Indiana with homecourt advantage. The sustained excellence says plenty about LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, as well as what Pat Riley has assembled alongside. Friday and Saturday, when there are no NBA games, it might be a time to take stock in what has transpired at 601 Biscayne. Incredible.

Q: The Nets could have had the Pacers in the playoffs instead. -- Neil.

A: Good point. The Nets' late season intentional tanking got them Raptors/Heat when the path could have been Bulls/Pacers. With the latter combination, it is quite possible Brooklyn could have made it to the East finals, what they showed against the Raptors and Heat likely enough to have gotten past the Bulls and Pacers. Instead they got cute, and got burned.

Q: So the Heat's record in the first two rounds was a league-best 8-1, believe it or not. -- L.K.

A: And yet there still were only limited stretches when you felt the Heat were playing dominant ball. Look, let's not overstate a diet of Bobcats and Nets compared to the Clippers getting Warriors and Thunder, or even the Spurs getting Mavericks and Trail Blazers, or the Thunder getting Grizzlies and Clippers. And the Heat likely will be going against the least-respected of the four remaining teams when the conference finals are settled. But 8-1 is 8-1, and exactly what this team needed with so much playoff wear these past four seasons.

May 14, 2014

Q: Ira, I thought the maintenance was supposed to help Dwyane Wade. However, he's averaging the same amount of points per game as he did in last year's playoffs. -- Omied, Los Angeles.

Q: Hey Ira, at the start of Monday's game I asked what was with Wade's poor one-on-one defense making Shaun Livingston look like a star. But his late game turnovers were pitiful as well. What's his deal? Thanks. -- Scott, Los Angeles

A: Yes, there are many wondering whether Wade can get back to his previous level, or at least something close. And right now, he is not playing like a Top 10 player. But I also know that every time we're about to put his stardom in the past tense, he responds with an in-your-face performance that puts the critics in their place. The reality is that the Heat will need more from Wade in the next two rounds, should they advance. The hope has to be that he saving his best for last. Monday certainly was uneven, from being posted up for early scores by Livingston to those two dreadful late turnovers. Still, doubt at your own risk.

Q: Ira, I really would like to know what is it about the Heat style of basketball that keeps Chris Bosh and Wade from truly helping LeBron James like they were intended to? Why don't the other two stars put up star numbers? -- Joe, Murrieta, Ga.

A: First of all, they helped him to consecutive championships, so something obviously is working. And for all of the Big Three talk, there is an understanding that everything in the Heat's universe revolves around LeBron. There is a reasonable chance that Bosh and Wade never put up star numbers again with the Heat; there also is a chance they continue to win championships. That is the tradeoff they signed up for.

Q: As the offensive contributions from everybody else fade, I am concerned that the Heat are becoming the 2005-'10 Cavaliers. -- Jason, Miami Lakes.

A: OK, everybody exhale. The Heat are leading this series 3-1. And I can't recall any of those LeBron Cavaliers teams winning championships.

May 13, 2014

Q: The Nets are unique. They bring out our worst and best basketball. -- Chet.

A: Good points. There are not many teams like Brooklyn, where each game it not only can be a different leading man, but it almost has to be. And then there is the Nets' defense, with it quite possible that the Heat finish off this series without ever truly solving the Nets' approach on that end. In many ways, this might be like last season's Eastern Conference semifinals for the Heat, when they had a five-game series against the Bulls that felt like far more. This is a good challenge for the Heat at the right time, one that could help steel them for the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals, just as the Bulls did a year ago. In a way, the next round could make for easier preparations for the Heat, since they know who the Pacers are and what they bring. The Nets are like a constantly changing canvas, and could yet again look completely different next season.

Q: It seems like there's a lot of unused potential on the Heat's bench. -- Michael, West Palm Beach.

A: First, there has to be playoff perspective. The playoffs are about your best players against their best players. Look at Indiana, which was so impressive on Sunday against the Wizards despite getting a grand total of two points off the bench, a basket by C.J. Watson. Yes, you might like to be able to dig deeper, but with no back-to-backs in the playoffs, and in the absence of foul trouble, it usually is about the starters. Now, the Heat's situation is a bit different, because Shane Battier has been a nominal starter, so you would like to have at least one of the bench wings step up. But the Heat and Nets are built differently. The Heat sunk almost their entire payroll into the Big Three, so they succeed or fail behind LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Nets paid for depth, so they, of course, are trying to establish that, as well. Ray Allen stepped up Monday when needed, but, face it, with LeBron scoring 49, there only was so much of an outside contribution needed.

Q: The Pacers finally look good . . . against the Wizards. -- Yaya.

A: Hmm, sarcasm? Look, many of the Pacers' ills clearly are being cured. Roy Hibbert is playing with as much confidence as he has had in months. And Paul George again has the look of a leading man, based on what he did Sunday in Washington. Yes, the Wizards have a just-glad-to-be-here look at times. And yes, Washington is throwing out a second unit for the aged with Andre Miller, Al Harrington and Drew Gooden. But the Pacers are back on the upswing. That largely is undeniable.

May 12, 2014

Q: Ira, don't get me wrong because I love both of these guys, but I'm starting to see in Dwyane Wade shades of Dan Marino late in his carrier. The mind can do it, but the body can't get there every time any more (I guess that's not the first time it happens to an athlete!). That said, stop complaining about every single time about fouls and get back on defense. You're not quick enough anymore to recover. -- J.W.

A: Look, I think you can only read so much into body language, so I try not to go there. But clearly the explosiveness hasn't been there in this series, and Dwyane has not been able to blow by even the older Nets. He said it is because of the way the Nets have been playing defense, and that certainly has been a factor. But it's also as if he's settling for jumpers, instead of working off the ball for lane cuts. It all comes back to the Heat's declining assist totals. The precision hasn't been there. As for getting back on defense, that has become a growing concern, amid the Nets' ability to whip the ball to open 3-point shooters.

Q: The Heat are not going anywhere with LeBron James being passive like this, jacking jump shots without rhythm and not doing anything else on offense -- this has been proven time and time again in the last few postseasons. I could count the number of his drives in this series on one hand and the Nets are not even doing anything special to prevent it. He is getting punked by Mirza Teletovic for God's sake. -- Marek, Prague.

A: There was early aggression in Game 3, but then the Nets began to pack the paint as the Heat continually missed 3-pointers. That's part of the reason LeBron on Sunday reiterated his desire for more playing time for James Jones. There is only so much LeBron can do with five Nets standing in the lane. But, as Chris Bosh said, if the Heat rebound better, they can get out in transition and, at worst, at least get to their secondary break. Against such a sold halfcourt defensive team, the Heat have to start outrunning the older Nets.

Q: Did you find it interesting that Brooklyn, more specifically Paul Pierce, was celebrating as if the Nets just won Game 7. -- Jason.

A: Pierce has emerged as the emotional leader for the Nets amid the declining productivity of Kevin Garnett and the reserved personalities of Joe Johnson and Deron Williams. There's something to be said about an older player displaying that much passion. It's commendable.

May 11, 2014

Q: I can't see Brooklyn having another 3-point performance like Saturday again. We needed this humble pie. -- Brandy.

A: Look, the Nets' 15 3-pointers were a franchise playoff record, so it's highly unlikely it will happen again (although the Heat's 3-point defense can be frightening lax at times). But there is never anything good about a playoff loss, and if the Heat truly needed an eye-opener, then they're not who we thought they were. To their credit, the Heat have shown a strong inclination to bounce back from playoff losses during this championship run. But, like Erik Spoelstra continues to stress, what happened before has nothing to do with this Heat team. The margin for error with this group is smaller. It just is. Win on Monday night, and there still is the possibility of ample rest before the next round. Lose Monday, and the Heat open the possibility of having to fly directly from Brooklyn on Friday to the start of the next round in Indiana, if the Pacers close out that series. No, Saturday wasn't as much about "humble pie" as a comeuppance.

Q: I am sorry, but with the Nets playing eight forwards, Michael Beasley should be getting playing time. He can score, and he can flat out play defense better than Lewis. -- Jeffrey.

A: I'm not sure about the defense, but I'm also not sure about how much Rashard Lewis is giving them at this point, either. But I will say this: The Nets know how to attack a defensive weak link, going directly at James Jones as soon as he entered Saturday. This really isn't about Lewis or Jones or Beasley. It's about Shane Battier having to give them more in this starting role.

Q: Is Greg Oden out of the rotation if the Heat play the Pacers? Udonis Haslem worked for one game, but I am not sure he will be the answer for seven-game series. -- Jeffrey.

A: I can't fathom reestablishing enough chemistry with Oden at this late date, considering he hasn't had any meaningful minutes since he so struggled in the first six minutes against Roy Hibbert in that loss in Indiana. Based on Oden's comments to Grantland.com and some of his body language, I just can't see him pushing himself back to the level of playoff intensity needed. No, I think there is a good chance Udonis Haslem would be back in the starting lineup if the Heat were to play the Pacers, and that the Heat likely would play Hibbert by committee, a committee that most likely would not include Oden.

May 10, 2014

Q: Whether they win it all or not ( I think they will) the Heat are showing in these playoff how much BS there is about regular-season records. This team is built for the playoffs. And I predicted (before the playoffs), homecourt in the Eastern Conference finals still will be theirs, as I don't think the Pacers will make it to the East finals. And the more I watch Erik Spoelstra, the more impressed I am. It can't be easy having so many potential Hall of Famers on a team and be able to manage them so well. He sure knows his players and what he can get out of them. -- Howard.

A: Two good points. And imagine if the Heat do win again this year after their lackadaisical regular-season approach? Next season, they could decide .500 is good enough, with Dwyane Wade perhaps taking half the season off. That's what makes it all the more challenging for Spoelstra, to get a system in place that is playoff viable without pushing his players too hard too early. This team has been built for the moments that matter the most. So far, Spoelstra and the Heat have been up to those moments.

Q: I have said this before regarding this series: If it's a close game, the Heat will take the fourth quarter. The big stars for the Nets are old, they are too tired (by NBA standards) to compete with Miami. -- Martin.

A: I'm still not sure, if I'm the Heat, I'd be comfortable with Paul Pierce having the ball in a one- or two-point game on the final possession. He still seems up to those moments. Kevin Garnett? That's another story. I think you might be selling the Nets' closers short. The key for Heat is to make sure the final two minutes are mere formalities, as they have done in the first two games of this series.

Q: I think Udonis Haslem has to come in put some toughness on Brooklyn. -- M.B.

A: Actually, I think the units the Heat have been playing have already provided that. What the Heat need are enough scoring options on the court to space the floor against what has become a pack-the-paint defense from Brooklyn. Not only doesn't this set up for Haslem, but even Chris Andersen didn't quite fit at the finish in Game 2.

May 9, 2014

Q: What if I told you Mirza Teletovic would score 20 points and Marcus Thornton 10 points for the Nets and the Heat would still win, what would you say? -- Stuart.

A: I would say that what has become apparent through the first two games of this series, and what we had already seen to a degree in the previous Brooklyn series against the Raptors, is that the Nets' stars are not who we thought they were, Kevin Garnett with just four points in this series, Paul Pierce with just four points in Thursday's second half, Deron Williams scoreless in Game 2, and Joe Johnson, even when given his trademark isolation opportunities, with just 13 points on Thursday night. What the Nets have are a bunch of names, capable of stepping up to NBA competition only on a certain level, but seemingly not this level. Save for Andray Blatche, who barely played as Jason Kidd went from small to smallest, it's not as if the Nets bench can provide much more than the solid play offered Thursday by Teletovic and Thornton.

Q: Bill Simmons, NBA on ESPN, after the game said Miami didn't play that well and doesn't look that good. They look old. And they can be beaten by the teams in the West. Please relay to the Big Three! -- S.R.

A: If that's what he said, I'm sure it will be duly passed along to them by someone under contract to Pat Riley. Look, the Heat clearly have played to the level of the competition, just as they did in the opening round, when they needed a similar escape act in Game 2 against the Bobcats. I'm sure the crowd Saturday at Barclays Center will provide ample motivation. The Heat have done in these playoffs what they've needed to do. That shouldn't be faulted.

Q: Where was Chris Andersen at the end Thursday? -- Jeffrey.

A: Watching, while Jason Kidd went to lineups that would have made matchups difficult for Birdman. The different between some of the Nets' big men and what Erik Spoelstra has in Chris Bosh is that Bosh can make it work no matter how small the ball goes. There was no need having Andersen out there tracking Teletovic at the 3-point line. Closing with Bosh, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen and Mario Chalmers worked out just fine.

May 8, 2014

Q: Why do the refs ignore the beating LeBron James takes against these guys (all season)? Even the Paul Pierce cheap shot was ignored. -- E.J.

A: It's not just about Brooklyn. And it's not as if it's just started now. The problem with LeBron is that the goal is always scoring, not just settling for the free throws. So he plays with such force that what would result in foul calls in favor of other players comes off looking like mere incidental contact when it comes against LeBron. It was the same way with Shaquille O'Neal. And it's the same with many of the league's strongest and bulkiest players. The problem is that players should be rewarded for playing through and not "hunting" for fouls. Instead, the players who embellish are the ones who tend to get the most favorable whistle.

Q: Don't the Wizards look like the toughest opponents for the Heat in the East? I still have painful images of the games in Washington this year, with John Wall penetrating, Bradley Beal/Trevor Ariza/Martell Webster hitting corner threes, Nene/Marin Gortat owning the paint. -- Adrian.

A: But, as the series opener against the Nets showed, the playoffs are a completely different animal when it comes to the Heat. The difference in the closeout speed is significant, as is the intensity across the board. All of that said, and with all the Wizards have accomplished, I'm not ready to bury the Pacers until that series is over. For now, my Eastern Conference finals reservations for Indiana remain in place.

Q: What's more interesting than Pat Riley finishing fifth for this year's Executive of the Year is that he was co-winner when he brought the Big Three in, compared to what the Bulls did. -- Jose.

A: Sharing that 2011 award with the Bulls' Gar Forman remains more than a bit confounding, especially considering Forman's prize that offseason was Carlos Boozer. I'm not exactly sure what fellow executives saw this season from Riley, whose prime acquisitions were Greg Oden and Michael Beasley, and whose most impactful moves might have been the luxury-tax dumps of Mike Miller and Joel Anthony.

May 7, 2014

Q: Ira, while the Nets had to push Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, the Heat were able to pace Ray Allen. Smart. You could see Tuesday how much this series means to him. I like what Erik Spoelstra has done, making sure he kept Shane Battier and Allen fresh for the most important games. -- Zach.

A: I'm not so sure it was about keeping Ray or Shane or anyone else fresh. It just worked out that way because of matchups. But making shots is essential for Allen, because it is clear the Nets are going to attack him on the opposite end (where he actually had his defensive moments Tuesday). So much of the Heat's inside success with Tuesday's 52 points in the paint was because of the threat the Heat were able to offer on the perimeter, with Allen converting four 3-pointers and Battier two. Not to overstate Allen at this stage of his career, but he still can be a difference-maker as a sixth man. And, yes, there also is the incentive of the possibility of eliminating Pierce and Garnett.

Q: Based on Tuesday night, Kevin Garnett can only be found on the back of a milk carton. -- Zip.

A: Again, it was just one game. But the reality is that anyone expecting Boston Celtics-vintage Kevin Garnett clearly has not watched him play much this season. He is a nominal starter, able to only offer his typical aggression in limited doses. If the Nets are to make this a series, it will not be because of Kevin Garnett's game-long contributions. But if the Nets can keep it close, as they did in all four regular-season meetings, he still has the ability to make a difference at the end, be it with his defense, rebounding or even over-the-top scoring ability. Basically, the Nets have to get Garnett to a juncture where he can make a difference. That is more on his teammates than himself.

Q: It never gets old. It was extra sweet to beat the Brooklyn/Boston/Dallas Nets! -- Stuart.

A: Oh, I see what you did there, with the Pierce, Garnett, Kidd thing.

May 6, 2014

Q: One of the reasons the Nets have had success against the Heat this season is the resurgence of Shaun Livingston. The Heat guards are too small to guard Livingston. Livingston gets in the lane and creates problems for the Heat. Couldn't the Heat put Shane Battier on Livingston the same way Battier plays the other premiere scorers in the league? I know that creates other mismatches, but this might be a series where Dwyane Wade plays more a at point guard. -- Stuart.

A: Livingston very much will be a wildcard in this series, for his defense against LeBron James, as well. And you're right, when the Nets have Livingston at the point, it creates mismatches for Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole. Wade certainly will have to take that assignment at times, and Battier also could have to step up. There are, in fact, potential mismatches in the Nets' favor at several positions. What it comes down to is this: James and Wade have to be the best two players in this series for the Heat to advance. It's not like they don't have it in them.

Q: Dou you think Shane Battier or Rashard Lewis will get extended minutes against the Nets? -- Darren.

A: I think they will both get minutes, but I think the only "extended" minutes will belong to Wade, James and Chris Bosh. The Heat need their Big Three to stand tallest, with the Nets arriving with the greater depth of options. The question is what Battier has left. The Heat need him to undergo a Udonis Haslem-like resurgence, with all that idle time perhaps restoring his verve.

Q: Isn't this second-round matchup with the Nets just a chance for the Heat to show the world that they are a playoff team that can't be judged by the regular season? What the preseason is to other teams, the regular season is for the Heat. Miami fans should see the Nets as a gift. -- Tom, Chapel Hill, N.C.

A: While I agree that the Heat will have to step up their game, the Nets are far more than a warm-up act. They set up as much of a challenge for the Heat as anyone in the Eastern Conference.

May 5, 2014

Q: Now the true test comes for us. Let the war begin! It is now the Nets, but in reality it is a flashback against the Celtics. -- Sammy.

A: Except while these Nets arrive with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, they also don't have Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen like Boston did at the height of Heat-Celtics. So the question becomes what Joe Johnson and Deron Williams can provide in support. And even that looks past the reality that Pierce and Garnett are also now older, past-prime players, likely not up to the same stresses they handled while with the Celtics. For that matter, we're talking about Jason Kidd being on the opposite sideline instead of Doc Rivers. So there's also that.

Q: As bad as the Nets are, I think they can beat the Heat in a seven-game series. LeBron James shrinks in front of Pierce and Garnett. -- Christopher.

A: Funny, I don't recall that in Game 6 two years ago in Boston. While LeBron clearly is the center of it all, Chris Bosh has to assert himself against Garnett, not just settling for jumpers, but utilizing his quickness against Garnett. And Dwyane Wade has to be better than Deron Williams or Joe Johnson or at least playing one to a standoff so LeBron can be the difference in the other matchup.

Q: Re-seeding is dumb. You should get the benefit of your first-round effort. -- P.M.

A: It should be about what you do in the first 82 games. If you re-seed, then teams can't finagle for favorable second-round matchups, as the Nets seemingly did with the successful bid to wind up in the Heat's half of East bracket. Re-seeding wouldn't have been in an issue in the West. But in the East, it would have left the Pacers with the Nets, the Heat with the Wizards.

May 4, 2014

Q: If Roy Hibbert follows up his Game 7 with a good series against Washington, do you think his confidence will be restored by the time the Pacers play the Heat? -- Michael.

A: I'm not ready to say Saturday against the center-less No. 8 Hawks was a game-changer for Hibbert, but it arguably was one of his most positive steps in months. The Heat and Pacers still have to get through another round before they meet, but coming back from a 3-2 deficit figures to pay dividends for Indiana when the next challenge arises. The playoffs remain all about matchups, and Hibbert is one that still could challenge the Heat.

Q: Ira, why don't the Heat have outdoor celebrations for their playoff games like the Raptors do in Toronto? -- Jen.